Nigeria’s parliament has successfully passed a bill targeting the prevention of sexual harassment against university students. Once approved by newly elected President Bola Tinubu, it will become illegal for lecturers to engage in any form of sexual advances toward students.
Offenders involved in sexual relationships with their students may face a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. The anti-sexual harassment bill was initially introduced in 2016 but did not receive approval from both houses of parliament.
However, it was reintroduced by the senate in 2019 following a BBC investigation that uncovered allegations of sexual misconduct by lecturers in Nigeria and Ghana. The documentary titled “Sex for Grades” by BBC Africa Eye sparked widespread outrage.
Despite the delay caused by discussions and amendments proposed by the House of Representatives, the bill has finally reached its final wording through the agreement of two parliamentary committees.
Outgoing lawmakers are striving to conclude pending matters before newly elected MPs take office next week. A student expressed her satisfaction with this development and expressed hope that President Tinubu would promptly enact the bill into law.
Previously, a group of students had expressed disappointment that the National Assembly failed to pass the bill in time for former President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to it before leaving office.
